The Power of Meal Prep: The BIGGEST Game-Changer for Busy Women!
For career-driven women juggling work, family, and personal time, meal preparation might sound like just one more thing to add to an already full plate. But in truth, setting up a meal prep system can be one of the biggest time-savers, stress-relievers, and health boosters you could give yourself.
Imagine this: instead of scrambling to pull together dinner after a long day, you can simply reheat a well-balanced, delicious meal you prepped days ago! I’ve been meal-prepping for years, and I’ve gotten so efficient at it, that I can have our family meals for the week done in under 30 minutes! And I don’t mean 30 minutes a day, I mean the entire week’s meals are prepped in one 30 minute session!! That’s why a meal preparation system can be a real game-changer for women managing both busy schedules and family responsibilities. Let’s take a look at all the benefits!Oh, and before we dive in, I just want to remind you that, as always, this isn’t just my opinion - the benefits of meal planning and preparation have been studied and are backed by science!
1. Less Waste, More Savings
One of the hidden perks of a well-organized meal prep system is the noticeable reduction in food waste. When you plan meals in advance, your grocery list becomes specific. Instead of impulse buys that go unused, meal prep helps you create a targeted shopping list. This minimizes waste and saves you money. You’ll find that you’re no longer tossing wilted greens or that extra yogurt you thought you’d “try this week.” Every item has a purpose, making a big difference in your food budget.
2. Fewer Takeouts, Healthier Choices
When life gets busy, takeout can seem like the easiest option, but it’s often expensive and not the most nutritious. By prepping meals in advance, you set yourself up for success on the busiest days. When a nutritious, home-prepped meal is waiting in the fridge, you’re less likely to reach for the takeout menu. The result? Healthier, balanced meals for both you and your family, plus significant savings. It’s a small change that packs a big punch in terms of health and financial wellness.
3. Less Time in the Kitchen, More Time for You
A common misconception about meal prep is that it’s time-consuming. But a solid meal prep system can actually reduce your weekly cooking time to under an hour. I’ve already mentioned that I’ve personally cut my prep down to less than 30 minutes for myself and my daughter. Imagine that—within half an hour, the week’s meals are ready to go! Most of my clients start closer to the 1 hour mark, and then progressively improve their time, but even 1 hour a week is a huge time saver!!
When you have meals prepped, dinnertime stress disappears. Instead of scrambling to cook, you simply warm, plate, and enjoy. It’s a time-saver that frees you up for other priorities, whether that’s winding down, spending time with family, or getting some much-needed rest.
4. Variety is Still an Option!
Another popular misconception is that meal prep simply means eating the same thing every day. While that can be the case for some, it doesn’t have to be! You can certainly create a meal plan for the week that has significant variety! And you can do what I do, which is repurpose meals - so Monday’s pot of chilli turns into Tuesday’s chilli tacos! Variations on a theme, let’s say!
How to Implement an Effective Meal Prep System
A successful meal prep system is more than batch-cooking and storing meals; it’s a streamlined plan that makes the process efficient, easy, and adaptable to your lifestyle. Meal prep doesn’t have to mean eating the same dish all week. Think variety, balanced nutrition, and a plan that aligns with your goals! Pick your meals for the week, get your grocery list together, and then start prepping!!
Because of the success I’ve had in my own life with meal prep, and seeing the results from clients who I’ve helped, I thought it might be beneficial to create an official “system”. So I took all the tips, tricks, and hacks I’ve learned over years of prepping, and compiled it all in my Ultimate Meal Prep System, which I’ll be releasing this Black Friday. If you’re already a member of my Total Body Transformation program, you can get the program for free by upgrading to an annual membership or renewing your already existing one! Just reach out to the team at support@simonelovell.freshdesk.com and let them know!
For those of you who aren’t in TBT, you’ll have to wait until after Black Friday to be able to buy it!
Whether you use my system or another, the key is finding a routine that fits your life. Start small, get comfortable with the basics, and over time, you’ll see how meal prep is more than just food—it’s a lifestyle shift that lets you take control of your time, money, and health.
To the busy, ambitious women reading this: meal prep is one simple tool that can truly help you thrive. The investment is small, the benefits are big!!
Sources
Home Meal Preparation: A Powerful Medical Intervention (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7232892/#:~:text=People%20who%20cook%20at%20home,foods%20on%20a%20regular%20basis.)
Meal planning is associated with food variety, diet quality and body weight status in a large sample of French adults
(https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-017-0461-7)
Personalized Flexible Meal Planning for Individuals With Diet-Related Health Concerns: System Design and Feasibility Validation Study (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10436119/#:~:text=Meal%20planning%20is%20a%20useful,for%20good%20health%20%5B2%5D.)